Baseball game



Mar. 6, 1923. 1,447,335 A. F. BALCOM BASEBALL GAME Filed Oct. 28, 1921 2 sheets-sheet 1 O CENTER nzLnzn 0 O =r-r FIELDER RIGHT FuzLoEn SHORT STOP SECOND 5A5EMAN BASEMAN FIRST BASEMAN O O BALLS 00 BALLS 000 ou s Q 84 0 OATCHER l23456169l0lll2l3l4l5 TEA" 23 ll l3 000000000000 "mums \234 TORS as 27 I .25

- AF. Bqloo Patented Mar. 6, 1923.

warren s'rA'rEs PATENT BASEBALL GAME.

Application filed October 28, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER F. BAL- COM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Baseball Game, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an indoor base ball game. The principal objects of the invention are to provide a simple game which will be suitable for use by everyone and can be employed to give results substantially like those obtained in, a real game of base ball; to provide means whereby the spinning of a pointer or disc will direct the play and avoid the usual objection to indoor base ball games, namely, the introduction of an extraordinary, large numberqf hits and runs, and at the same time to avoid the extreme complication of those types in which every play is provided for by a ditierent square or'region on the board.

I accomplish the lastnamed object by pro viding a series of regions giving the directions of the play arranged in a. number of concentric circles and providing an indicator with means upon it indicating the condition of the field, that is, the number of men on bases, each one corresponding to one of said circles so that in a comparatively small space I can indicate all of the plays that can take place and at the same time arrange them in such a way as to give a result very similar to-that obtained'in an ordinary game of ball.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanyin drawing in which ig. 1 isa front view of a game board constructed in accordance with this inven tion;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. 1

In the game board as shown in Fig. 1, which may be made of wood, pasteboard, metal or other material, I provide a center stud 10 on which is rotatably mounted a circle 11, preferably representing a base ball, from which extends two arms 12 and 13. The arm 12 is provided with a circular weight 14 on the end, which can be conven- Serial No. 511,187.

iently made to represent a base ball, and the arm or indicator 13 is provided with a pointer 15 at its end. It is to be noted that one edge of the arm 13 is radial and in alignment with the opposite edge of the other arm. This arm is also provided with a plurality of spaces, each bounded by the arc of a circle centering at the stud 10 and marked as follows: None on bases, Man on'l, Man on 2, Man on 3, Man 1 on 2, Man 1 on 3, Man 2 on 3 and bases full.

Drawn from the center of the stud 10 are also a plurality ofcircles on the stationary board. Also extending mainly from the stud 10 are a series of radial lines intersecting the circles. These circles and radial lines divide the surface of the board into a plurality of spaces, these spaces having designated upon them the different plays that are possible in a game of ball. It will not be necessary to quote the diiierent plays in any way but it is sufficient to say that they all co-operate with the notes on the pointer 13 to show what happens when the pointer is spun and no matter where it stops. It will be seen that in the arrangement shown there are a series of directions in the spaces arranged on several of the radial lines but on account of the multiplica tion due to the directions on the pointer 13 I can divide the board up into such a large number of these spaces that it is not necessary to fill them all with directions and neither is it necessary to take up all the spaces between the radial lines with wording indicating plays. This provides a series of blank spaces which are shown as of a general triangular form which require no instructions because at their outer ends a strike or ball or foul is indicated. Therefore, no directions need be given as to the disposal of the men on bases.

It is to be observed also that I have illustrated a diamond on the surface of the board merely for adding attractiveness to the device and it has no special relation to the spinning pointer. Around this diamond I have indicated the four bases and the positions of the several players and to make the game interesting it is desirable to have two sets of men with different colors represented by the discs 20, each having a cylindrical projection on the bottom adapted to set into the circular depressions 22 on the board to show where the players are and what players are on bases. Similar counters 2-1: can be used to indicate the balls. strikes and outs and similar details of the game. I have also shown spaces for these at the point 2-5 on each side for the two teams and score cards 26 and 27 which may be of celluloid to permit marking and erasing.

It will be observed further that the outer series of spaces tell a consistent story all the way around. Wherever the pointer stops it indicates by its location on one of these spaces the action of the batter. as for example. strike, ball, foul, hit. etc. The inner spaces, however, which are quadrangular in form as the usual thing and usually approach to a square, designate the play in the spaces.

field. that is, they show if the batter is out or safe and indicate what happens to the runners on base. It is to be observed also that the pointer by the designations upon it selects the circle of directions which is to be taken for the play. For example, if the pointer stops in the place indicated it shows that the batter has sent a. fly to first base. Now, if there is a man on third this shows that the runner is safe on first and the player on third stays there but is safe. If the bases are full itmeans that the batter is out but the first runner reaches home leaving a man on second and a man on third while in all other conditions pomib-le the batter is out. All these directions, it will be seen, are located in a small compass on account of the co-operation of the pointer with the board for showing the play.

On the end of the indicator 13 there is a second pointer 29 to be used when the main pointer 15 comes to rest mid-way be tween two spaces.

In the form shown on the second sheet a rotary disc 30 of circular form is marked in the same form as the circular board shown in Fig. 1 except as specified below. It is mounted to rotate on a center stud 31 and.

located under the front plate 32. This plate 32 has a base ball diamond shown on it but none of the circular or radial lines of Fig. 1 or the directions in the quadrangular No pointer is used but thefront plate 32 has a radial opening 34 the-rethrough along one side of which are equally spaced marks 33 dividing, it into spaces marked in the same way as the'indicator arm 13. It constitutes an indicator like that arm but is stationary while the disc. 30 underneath. rotates and, whenever it stops, leaves a line of its spaces showing through the space so that the play can be read there.

The circumference of the disc 30 is shown as provided with triangular teeth between which projects a pawl 35 held 'by spring 36 secured at 37 to the stationary board 32. This spring pressed pawl prevents the disc otherwise show through the slot 34. -Thus it can be set so that only that space will appear which is to direct the play, that is the one showing the number of men on bases. It has an arm 41 which is bent upwardly and back to pass through an arcuate slot 49. drawn from the stud 31 as a center. The backward bend &3 at the end rests on top of the front plate .and supports the arm therefrom. The edge of this slot is marked like the arm 13 and each indication applies to the space that will be left visible through t'he slot 34. The plate 40 has a long arcuate slot 46 so that in all positions it will uncover the outer circle of legends or directions on the disc 30. The disc 30 is spun by means of a head 45 fixed on the stud 31 to which the disc is secured.

Although I have illustrated and described only twoforms of the invention I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not Wish to be limited to all the details herein shown and described, but

What I do claim is 1. In a base ball game, the'combination of center of said circles and having two pointing projections at the circumference of the outer circle to indicate the play, said pointer being. divided along its length into spaces equal in width to the width of the annular spaces and being provided with designations, each one of which indicates which one of the annular spaces is to be regarded as the play made.

2. In an indoor base ball game, the combination with a circular field having its area between the circumference and center divided into a plurality of annular spaces by means of equally spaced circles concentric with the circumference and having lines extending inwardly from the circumference dividing the annular spaces into substantially square areas, said square areas being provided with designating marks, each to indicate a play in the game of base ball, of a pointer ivoted at the center of said circles and having an indicating end terminating at the circumference of the outer circle and adapted to be spun on its center to indicate the direct play of the batter, said pointer having directions located on it spaced equally with respect to the several circular spaces indicating which circle of spaces on the board is to be taken as showing the play in the field.

3. As an article of manufacture, an indoor base ball game comprising a board having a series of concentric equally spaced circles marked thereon. and provided with lines extending outwardly toward the outer circle from the center, dividing the spaces into four sided areas having marks in said areas indicating plays in the field,- the outer circle of spaces having marks or designations therein indicating only the plays of the batter, and a pointer adapted to spin about the center of said circles, having one edge arranged in line with it and extending from it radially and provided with a projecting end at the same distance from the center as the outer circle of spaces to indicate the action or play of the batter, said pointer having a balance on the other side of the center also having one side radial and a circular balance weight on its end.

4. As an article of manufacture, an indoor base ball game comprising a member having a series of concentric equally spaced circles marked thereon and provided with lines extending inwardly toward the inner circle from the circumference, dividing the spaces into four-sided areas having marks in said areas indicating plays in the field, the outer circle of s aces having marks or designations therein indicating only the plays of the batter, and a relatively rotary indicator having one edge arranged in line with said center and extending from it radially and terminating at the same distance from the center as the outer circle of spaces to indicate the action or play of the batter.

5. In an indoor base ball game, the combination with a circular field having its area between the circumference and center divided into a plurality of annular spaces by means of equally spaced circles concentric with the circumference and having lines dividing the annular spaces into areas, said areas being provided with designating marks, each to indicate a play in the game of base ball, of an indicator radiating from the center of said circles and having an end terminating at the circumference of the outer circle, one of said parts being rotary and adapted to be spun on its center to indicate the direct play of the batter, said indicator having directions located on it spaced equally with respect to the several circular spaces showing the condition of the bases and indicating which circle of spaces on the board is to be taken as showing the play in the field.

6. In a base ball game, the combination of a circular field divided. into annular spaces by a plurality of concentric circles, said spaces having lines drawn from the circumference inwardly to separate them into another series of spaces, each of the smaller spaces thus provided containing directions for the playing of the game of base ball, and an indicator radiating from the center of said circles and terminating in a point at the circumference of the outer circle to indicate the play, said indicator being divided along its length into spaces equal in width to the width of the annular spaces and being provided with designations, each -one of which indicates by itself alone which one of the annular spaces isto be regarded as the play made.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

\ ALEXANDER F. BALCOM. 

